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Sunday, 25 February 2007 |
Well here we are only a few weeks before the first of our Club’s five race meetings that are programmed for this year. For those that have not already picked up on the programme the dates are:
31st March Silverstone National Circuit – Spring Opener
19th May Oulton Park International – Summer Meeting
22nd & 23rd June Silverstone International
14th July Cadwell Park – A race in the Wolds
6th & 7th October Snetterton – British Sports Car Weekend
We have some cracking programmes lined up too, with two new groups to
MG Car Club. The first of these is Jim Lowery and his Equipe GTS who
are aiming for a full grid at the meeting. That is a massive 40 cars
now that the MSA have once again increased the grid numbers. The GTS
caters for Gran Turismo Sports Cars of the 50’s and 60’s.
The second of the new grids is “Tintops” catering for up to 1965 FIA
saloons. Not just Minis but some of the big bangers Mustangs and
Jaguars etc. The thought of a good grid of these en-route down Club
straight into Brooklands on the first lap will be exciting stuff
indeed, we can hardly wait.
Also new for this season is a three race invitation series for MGAs, T
types, and MMMs which will be held at Oulton Park, Silverstone Int. and
Cadwell Park and if competitors enter the three races they will only
pay for two, what a bargain !
In addition we have a rejuvenated Trophy race now with an extra class
for standard MGF and TF to add to the standard ZR160 class of last
year. Coming out in that class at Oulton will be young Charlie Brown,
why not till Oulton, well he is only 16 in April and will be our
youngest competitor ever? (and his father, the extrovert John Brown,
owns a Kart track, guess what Charlie does when he come back from
school).
Reverting to the first meeting, the Metro boys also with an extra class
for Rover Metro’s are planning on larger grids and with a new and
enthusiastic team promoting the Championship. Cockshoot are planning
on more competitors as well now that they have a MGF class, and our old
friends from Jaguar Enthusiasts Club are bringing their XK series along
which promises to be good entertainment value. And breaking news our
Club Chairman’s company Peter Best Insurance now become main sponsors
for the old Total Butler and it is renamed “The Peter Best Insurance
Challenge”.
Not got your entry forms – better be quick – contact your Championship or the Club office now.
Press & Publicity:
The MG Car Club motor racing has, in the past, been one of the better
kept secrets of club motorsport. We think that should change and the
Board of the Club have agreed so we are delighted to announce that JOHN
HORTON has agreed to be responsible for press and publicity both before
and after our meetings. John, of course, as many are aware, is the
Press Officer for Rally GB and for a couple of the F1 events as well as
being the Chairman of the MSA Press committee. He is very much hoping
that when competitors fill in their commentator’s sheet comprehensive
details of your local papers, radio and television will be provided.
It is John’s task to publicise your activities where you live! Andrew
Wilkins, our live wire commentator, will assist John with radio
interviews before the event so stay tuned to your local radio, and read
your local paper, who knows you many even feature! John Horton will
also be hosting our race prize givings one for each race and we hope
that this will provide a focal point for both pre-race and post race
communication. Who knows we may even run to a cup of coffee. Practice
and Race results will be available there and at Silverstone it will be
at garages 5A, B & C. All Club members are welcome and we hope
that at least one Club Director will be present.
NEW AWARDS:
In order to add a little excitement we have instituted a DRIVER OF THE
DAY AWARD. The rules are simple, at the end of each race the
commentator will name his DRIVER OF THE RACE and each one of these will
be eligible for the overall DRIVER OF THE DAY who will be announced at
the last prize giving. To claim it you will have to be there failing
that it will be awarded to the next best DRIVER OF THE DAY. Remember
anyone from any race can win; it could be a back marker who turns in a
sterling performance just as much as a front-runner. The commentator
will decide. We will put up a board with the DRIVERS OF THE RACE at
the prize giving area so you can see who is in the running. First
prize – a cheque for £75.00.
Secondly, when you sign on, remember to collect your raffle ticket.
There will be a draw during the lunch break and the lucky winner will
collect a credit note worth £75.00 against his/her (no sexism here)
next race meeting entry.
Well you said you wanted some changes, how are we doing so far? Let us
know your thoughts, we want you to enjoy our race meetings whether you
be a competitor, spectator, official, marshal or indeed other!
Competitors:
Please note that the rear warning light as per the MSA Blue Book is now
mandatory do not fall foul of the requirement. Make sure your helmet
and overalls are still in date, that the fire extinguisher does not
need service, if post 65, that you have a plumbed in extinguisher set
up, prior to that the hand held which many prefer is still adequate.
Another point is that safety harness are lifed at 5 years from
manufacture (not purchase or use). In case of doubt harnesses have a
manufacture date on a label sewn in them. This is yet another
requirement bring the UK into line with the FIA International
specification which many see as a unnecessary and expensive pointless
burden.(Harness not required pre 1959 therefore do not need to
comply). But do not take it out on our hard working scrutineers, they
don’t make the rules!
OK so the Editor has just phoned to say if this is not with him PDQ
there will be an empty page! Let us know you thoughts after all our
competitors are our customers and you known what they say – Customers
can be, confused, mis-informed, stubborn, changeable, even dim, but
never wrong.
Stay on the tarmac, it is quicker that way.
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